Ocarina of Time Remake Reviews: Why Critics Gave It a 96

Twenty-eight years later, it turns out you can go home again, and the critics brought flowers. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 hit the review embargo on November 4, 2026 and rocketed to the top of Metacritic's 2026 chart with a 96, one day before its November 5 launch. For a remake of the only game ever to hold a 99 on the site, that is a heck of a shadow to step out of.

• Metascore of 96 based on 81 critic reviews at the time of writing, with no mixed or negative scores
• Number one on Metacritic's best games of 2026, ahead of Sektori at 93
• Inside the site's all-time top 30, with the N64 original still first at 99
• Nintendo Life calls it the highest-rated Switch 2 game so far on Metacritic

What Do the Ocarina of Time Remake Reviews Praise?

The big theme is restraint. VGC awarded five stars and praised Nintendo for staying faithful to the 1998 game's design and tone rather than rebuilding it from scratch, the route taken by the big 90s remakes of Final Fantasy 7 and Resident Evil 2. The strange, sad, slightly creepy parts all survived the glow-up. Nostalgia goggles, it seems, are now included in the box.

The modern touches are where this thing sings. Reviewers highlight:

• Breath of the Wild-style UI, including an item wheel
• On-command jumping, dashing across Hyrule Field and gyro bow aiming
• D-pad fast-equip for items like masks and boots, plus a quest-tracking menu
• Boss refights, summonable Deku shopkeepers and the ability to hum ocarina tunes you forgot

And yes, the Water Temple is less mazy. Somewhere, an entire generation just exhaled.

Are There Any Criticisms of the Switch 2 Remake?

Even a 96 leaves room for wishes. Nintendo Life's review calls it a stunning remake but not quite definitive, describing it as a very safe one. Veterans of the N64 or 3DS versions may find little challenge, and the outlet singles out the lack of Master Quest or any kind of hard mode, while hoping one gets added later. The good news? That is exactly the sort of thing a post-launch update could fix.

How Does the 96 Compare to Other 2026 Games?

Here is the leaderboard from Nintendo Life's report:

• Ocarina of Time (Switch 2): 96
• Sektori: 93
• Resident Evil 2: Deluxe Edition: 93
• The Witcher III: Wild Hunt Remaster: 92
• Big Walk: 91

Metacritic's all-time placement is a moving target. Every game ranked from 16th to 34th holds a 96, so outlets checking at different moments saw it at 24th and 27th. Expect some wobble as more reviews arrive, and note that the year still has one enormous contender to come, with Grand Theft Auto 6 about two weeks away.

Should You Play the Ocarina of Time Remake?

If you have never played it, this is the easy recommendation: the critics agree it is the best way to experience one of gaming's foundational adventures. If you know every Skulltula by heart, weigh up how much you want a gorgeous, smoother trip through a world you already love, since the design underneath is deliberately familiar. We first covered the Switch 2 remake's November 5 release date back in September, and the wait is nearly over. Keep up with launch week in our gaming coverage.

Sources: VGC review — November 4, 2026; VGC on Metacritic ranking — November 4, 2026; Nintendo Life review — November 4, 2026; Nintendo Life on Metacritic ranking — November 4, 2026; Metacritic — accessed November 4, 2026.